Zaheer, Ishant fully fit for Boxing Day Test

Indian fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma are fully fit for the first Test against Australia, starting December 26 in Melbourne.

"Ishant was not available for the first warm up, but he bowled in Canberra and the way he bowled today at the nets was a proof that they are both fit and raring to go," VVS Laxman said.

The two pacers bowled full steam in the nets on Friday, and did not injure anything or displayed any kind of discomfort while doing so.

"Because I had a four-month break, I could prepare well for the series. In the past, it used to be at the end of the season that I would go to Australia and breakdown...We (alongwith physios) chalked out this plan. So far I've been achieving the milestones about 8-10 days before they were delivered," Zaheer had said on Thursday.

While India are top heavy with batting experience, it will come down to the ability of front-line bowlers Zaheer and Ishant to bowl out Australia for India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy they have held since 2008.

Ian Chappell, former Australian captain and now a commentator, said that Zaheer, alongwith Virender Sehwag, was absolutely vital if India had to break the 64-year drought of winning a Test series in Australia.

On India's chances, Laxman said: "There's been a lot of talk on whether this is our best chance to win here. But whenever we take a flight to anywhere, we go in with the belief that we can win with the kind of talent and potential that we have and it will not be be any different this time around."

"Winning in Australia is everyone's dream in the world. Not just India but across the world because when you play Australia in Australia, it is the toughest cricket that you can play," he added.